Eleven most expensive fighter jet aircraft in the world

F-22 Raptor Stealth Jet

"F-22" redirects here. For other uses, see F22 (disambiguation).

F-22 Raptor
The F-22 Raptor
Role	Stealth air superiority fighter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
First flight	F-22: 7 September 1997[1]
Introduced	15 December 2005
Status	In service[2]
Primary user	United States Air Force
Number built	168 as of October 2010 (187 planned)[3]
Program cost	US$65 billion[4]
Unit cost	US$150 million (flyaway cost for FY2009)[5]
Developed from	Lockheed YF-22
Developed into	Lockheed Martin X-44 MANTA Lockheed Martin FB-22

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation supermaneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles.^[6] Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor and is responsible for the majority of the airframe, weapon systems and final assembly of the F-22. Program partner Boeing Defense, Space & Security provides the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and all of the pilot and maintenance training systems.

The aircraft was variously designated F-22 and F/A-22 during the years prior to formally entering USAF service in December 2005 as the F-22A. Despite a protracted and costly development period, the United States Air Force considers the F-22 a critical component of US tactical air power, and claims that the aircraft is unmatched by any known or projected fighter,^[2] while Lockheed Martin claims that the Raptor's combination of stealth, speed, agility, precision and situational awareness, combined with air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities, makes it the best overall fighter in the world today.^[7] Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Australian Defence Force, said in 2004 that the "F-22 will be the most outstanding fighter plane ever built."^[8]

The high cost of the aircraft, a lack of clear air-to-air combat missions because of delays in the Russian and Chinese fifth generation fighter programs, a US ban on Raptor exports, and the ongoing development of the supposedly cheaper and more versatile F-35 resulted in calls to end F-22 production.^{[N 1]} In April 2009 the US Department of Defense proposed to cease placing new orders, subject to Congressional approval, for a final procurement tally of 187 Raptors.^[10] The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 lacked funding for further F-22 production.

C-17A Globemaster III

For other aircraft with this designation, see C-17 (disambiguation).

C-17 Globemaster III
USAF C-17 Globemaster IIIs on a low-level training mission over the Blue Ridge Mountains
Role	Strategic/tactical airlifter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	McDonnell Douglas / Boeing
First flight	15 September 1991
Introduction	14 July 1993
Status	In production, and in service
Primary users	United States Air Force Royal Air Force Royal Australian Air Force Canadian Forces
Number built	232 as of June 2011
Unit cost	$191 million (2010)[1]
Developed from	McDonnell Douglas YC-15

The Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout the world; it can also perform tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop missions. The C-17 carries the name of two previous, unrelated U.S. military cargo aircraft, the Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II.

In addition to the U.S. Air Force, the C-17 is operated by the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The C-17 also serves with the Heavy Airlift Wing of NATO. Additionally, India has approved the purchase of C-17s.

P-8A Poseidon

VH-71 Kestrel

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

B-1B Lancer Strategic Bomber

F-35 Lightning II

V-22 Osprey

F/A-18 Hornet

EA-18G Growler

B-2 Spirit Bomber

Updated June 29, 2011